One of the most apparent, most chronic, and sometimes most frustrating symptoms that LuLu exhibits is “getting stuck”. She is always stuck on something. Oddly enough, most of the things change periodically. Although her obsession with all things medical and with bugs have been life-long.

Her latest obsession is Lion King. And a major part of the obsession is Mufasa (Simba’s father). She wants everyone to call her Mufasa. This has become a bone of contention, mostly for Super Dad. At first I tried to discourage it, but LuLu persisted in wanting people to call her Mufasa.

All last week while we were in Philly, she introduced herself to people as Mufasa. Get this visual picture – a tall, slender Chinese girl with hair cut so short that you’re not sure if she’s a girl or boy extends her hand to shake yours and says “Call me Mufasa.” It definitely qualifies as “strange”.

But, when the adults in the situation play along, the tensions ease. Her new teacher who is doing the Learning Breakthrough exercises with her eagerly agreed to call her Mufasa, and LuLu is delighted. Of course, now she’s obsessed and pushing for us to actually change her name…

Actually the Mufasa thing is one of the lighter sides of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). In some ways it's a bit like watching Monk on TV. If my addled brain can remember, it’s no big deal calling her a different name. It’s when there’s an unexpected change in plans or she gets her mind set on doing something that we just can’t do that the OCD becomes a real challenge.

Meanwhile, I know that each obsession runs its course. It may take a few weeks, or even a few months, but eventually she’ll be onto something else.

But until then, she bought a lion necklace at the Philadelphia Zoo and a Lion and cub Father’s Day card for Super Dad. And if we were wondering what to get her for her Forever Day tomorrow…well I think it’s going to be the DVD version of Lion King, since she’s nearly worn her sister’s VHS out!